Abstract: A piezoelectric valve driver device is provided. A first driver is connected to a first side of a valve. A second driver is connected to a second side of the valve. A power charging circuit is coupled between an external power source and a second voltage. A charging and discharging current controller is connected to the first driver, the second driver and the power charging circuit, and is configured to control currents of the first driver, the second driver and the power charging circuit. When a driver circuit switches the valve from a closed state to an open state, the first driver provides a first voltage to the first side of the valve, and the second voltage that is outputted to the second side of the valve by the second driver is discharged to output a discharging current to the external power source through the power charging circuit.

Abstract: A driving circuit of fluid pump module includes a microprocessor, a primary boost circuit, and a pump driving circuit is provided. The microprocessor receives an output signal with a large-width variable rectangular waveform, a driving voltage, a first detection current-feedback signal, and a second detection current-feedback signal. The primary boost circuit converts an inputted driving voltage into a direct current with a certain high voltage. The pump driving circuit receives the certain high voltage and is connected with the microprocessor to receive the voltage control signal and the pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. The secondary boost circuit receives the certain high voltage to boost the certain high voltage into a working voltage for the fluid pump. The operation driving circuit receives the working voltage and provides the pulse-width modulation signal for the fluid pump through the second detection current-feedback signal.

Abstract: A method for providing a piezoelectric device is described. The method includes providing a first electrode layer on a substrate and coating at least one layer of piezoelectric material. The coating using at least one of slot-die coating, dip coating, aerosol coating and R2R coating such that a layer of the at least one layer of piezoelectric material has a variation in thickness of not more than ten percent. The layer(s) of piezoelectric materials are also heat treated. Multiple layers of piezoelectric material may be slot-die coated and heat treated to provide a multilayer having the desired thickness. A second electrode layer is provided on the layer(s) of piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the adaptation of a motor drive system is described. The method includes applying a small signal frequency sweep to a motor drive system wherein the motor drive system includes an inverter, an output filter (e.g. a sine filter) and a motor, acquiring frequency response data in response to said frequency sweep and setting parameters of the motor drive system depending on the acquired frequency response data.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for driving a transducer with switching drivers. A driver circuit has first and second switching drivers for driving the transducer in a bridge-tied-load configuration, each of the switching drivers having a respective output stage for controllably switching the respective driver output node between high and low switching voltages with a controlled duty cycle. Each of switching drivers is operable in a plurality of different driver modes, wherein the switching voltages are different in said different driver modes. A controller controls the driver mode of operation and the duty cycle of the switching drivers based on the input signal. The controller is configured to control the duty cycles of the first and second switching drivers within defined minimum and maximum limits of duty cycles; and to transition between driver modes of operation when the duty cycle of one of the switching drivers reaches a duty cycle limit.

Abstract: A dual-mode ultrasound system provides real-time imaging and therapy delivery using a transducer array. The system may use various imaging modes to provide image data that may be used to select control points within an imaging field of view. The control points along with the image data may be used to solve an optimization problem to achieve desired focusing gains at one or more of the control points. The optimized solution may be used to produce excitation waveforms to generate new image data. The focusing gains may be evaluated and the optimization problem may be iterated until desired focusing gains are achieved. Virtual arrays may be defined and cascaded to provide flexibility in solving the optimization problem.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a processing tool that includes a wafer chuck disposed within a hot plate chamber and having an upper surface configured to hold a semiconductor wafer. A heating element is disposed within the wafer chuck and configured to increase a temperature of the wafer chuck. A motor is coupled to the wafer chuck and configured to rotate the wafer chuck around an axis of rotation extending through the upper surface of the wafer chuck. The processing tool further includes control circuitry coupled to the motor and configured to operate the motor to rotate the wafer chuck while the temperature of the wafer chuck is increased to form a piezoelectric layer from a sol-gel solution layer on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-frequency transducer array. In one example, the transducer array includes an element formed of one or more sub-elements, at least one sub-element having a different resonance frequency. A frequency range of the transducer array may thereby be broadened.

Abstract: A metal stack for templating the growth of AlN and ScAlN films is disclosed. The metal stack comprises one, two, or three layers of metal, each of which is compatible with CMOS post-processing. The metal stack provides a template that promotes the growth of highly textured c-axis {002} AlN and ScAlN films. The metal stacks include one or more metal layers with each metal layer having either a hexagonal {002} orientation or a cubic {111} orientation. If the metal stack includes two or more metal layers, the layers can alternate between hexagonal {002} and cubic {111} orientations. The use of ScAlN results in a higher piezoelectric constant compared to that of AlN for ScAlN alloys up to approximately 44% Sc. The disclosed metal stacks resulted in ScAlN films having XRD FWHM values of less than approximately 1.1° while significantly reducing the formation of secondary grains in the ScAlN films.

Abstract: A dual-mode ultrasound system provides real-time imaging and therapy delivery using a transducer array. The system may use various imaging modes to provide image data that may be used to select control points within an imaging field of view. The control points along with the image data may be used to solve an optimization problem to achieve desired focusing gains at one or more of the control points. The optimized solution may be used to produce excitation waveforms to generate new image data. The focusing gains may be evaluated and the optimization problem may be iterated until desired focusing gains are achieved. Virtual arrays may be defined and cascaded to provide flexibility in solving the optimization problem.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control interface for a motor vehicle, said interface including: a capacitive touch panel (9) including at least one locating capacitive sensor (17) defining a detecting surface and configured to locate a finger of a user on this detecting surface of the capacitive touch panel (9), and a display module (3) comprising a display screen (5). The capacitive touch panel (9) furthermore includes at least one contactless sensor (19) forming a distance meter configured to measure contactlessly a measurement value proportional to the distance between the contactless sensor (19) forming the distance meter and a metal element (7) borne by the display module (3), and the capacitive touch panel (9) is listened to the display screen (5) by way of a transparent elastic optical adhesive layer (21) allowing a relative movement between said capacitive touch panel (9) and the display screen (5) when a user presses on the capacitive touch panel (9).

Abstract: An electronic device including a display panel, a protection layer, and a sound broadcasting element is provided. The protection layer is disposed on the display panel. The sound broadcasting element and the display panel are both located below the protection layer, and the sound broadcasting element contacts the protection layer.

Abstract: An actuator device comprises an EAP structure which deforms in response to a drive signal applied to the device, a device output being derived from movement of the EAP structure. A delay arrangement is used such that the mechanical output from the device is not generated for a first range or type of applied drive signals, and said device output is generated for a second range or type of applied drive signals. This device is for example particularly suitable for use in a passive matrix system.

Abstract: Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multi-level pulser is described, which can support time-domain and spatial apodization. The multi-level pulser may be controlled through a software-defined waveform generator. In response to the execution of a computer code, the waveform generator may access master segments from a memory, and generate a stream of packets directed to pulsing circuits. The stream of packets may be serialized. A plurality of decoding circuits may modulate the streams of packets to obtain spatial apodization.

Abstract: A device for producing a non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma are a method for frequency control of a piezoelectric transformer are disclosed. In an embodiment a device includes a piezoelectric transformer, an activating circuit configured to apply an AC voltage at an activating frequency to the piezoelectric transformer as an input voltage and a field probe configured to measure a field strength of an electric field produced by the piezoelectric transformer, wherein the activating circuit is configured to adapt the activating frequency based on the measurement results of the field probe such that a field strength is maximized.

Abstract: A hybrid micromachined ultrasound transducer includes a piezoelectric micromachined transducer and a capacitive micromachined transducer. The capacitive micromachined transducer is vertically stacked with the piezoelectric micromachined transducer. The piezoelectric micromachined transducer and the capacitive micromachined transducer include a common shared electrode.

Abstract: A method includes a processor of an electronic device receiving first input signals from a first sensor in response to user contact at a first edge of the device and second input signals from a second sensor in response to user contact at a second edge of the electronic device. The first and second sensors are covered by a housing of the device. The processor determines an external context of the device based on analysis of the first input signals and the second input signals. The determined external context indicates at least a position of the device relative to a user or an orientation of the device relative to a user. Responsive to determining the external context, the electronic device executes a particular user input action.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a piezoelectric module, a sensing module and a buffer element. The piezoelectric module includes a substrate and a piezoelectric element. The substrate defines an opening penetrating the substrate. The piezoelectric element is disposed on the substrate and across the opening of the substrate. The sensing module is disposed over the piezoelectric module. The buffer element is disposed between the piezoelectric module and the sensing module.

Abstract: For multidimensional transducer array interconnection, circuit boards with electronics are stacked to form a surface for connection with the array. The surface of the circuit boards for connecting with the transducer array is metalized and diced. Rather than relying on small exposed traces, larger contact pads are formed by metalizing the surface and then dicing the surface. This forms an array of contact pads for connecting with the z-axis or other connectors for elements of the multidimensional transducer array.

Abstract: A passive wireless switch circuit and related apparatus are provided. In examples discussed herein, an apparatus includes a smaller number of voltage circuits configured to control a larger number of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches. The voltage circuits passively generate a number of constant voltages based on a number of radio frequency (RF) signals to collectively identify each of the MEMS switches. A decoder circuit decodes the constant voltages to identify a selected MEMS switch and provides a selected constant voltage higher than a defined threshold voltage to close the selected MEMS switch. As such, it may be possible to eliminate active components and/or circuits from the passive wireless switch circuit, thus helping to reduce leakage and power consumption. It may be further possible to reduce conductive traces between the voltage circuits and the MEMS switches, thus helping to reduce routing complexity and footprint of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pressing sensor that includes a pressing portion deformed by pressing, a piezoelectric sensor that generates a detection voltage based on the deformation amount, and a first current-voltage conversion circuit that converts a charge/discharge current for a capacitance of the piezoelectric sensor into a voltage signal and outputs the voltage signal. Moreover, a deformation amount detector obtains an integrated value of an output voltage and detects the integrated value as the deformation amount of the pressing portion. A minute vibration sensor detects presence or absence of minute vibration of the pressing portion according to presence or absence of a minute fluctuation state of the output voltage and an integration reset processor resets the integrated value in response to absence of the minute vibration.

Abstract: An emissive display unit for an avionics display system installable in an aircraft cockpit may incorporate a display substrate housing emissive devices and a sensor substrate bonded to the rear surface of the display substrate. The sensor substrate may include a network of touch sensors configured to receive touch commands applied to the front surface of the display substrate. The touch sensors of the sensor substrate may be connected to drive electronics via a network of interconnect traces routed behind the rear surface of the emissive display unit (i.e., the rear surface of the sensor substrate). The drive electronics may then display images on the front surface of the display substrate via the emissive devices, based on touch commands received through the touch sensors. The front or rear surface of the sensor substrate may include a fully or partially metallized layer to disperse heat from the emissive display unit.

Abstract: Technologies are described for a piezo electric element for generating vibrations in an electronic device. The piezo electric element comprises a piezo beam and an elongate mass. The piezo beam is sized for positioning in an internal recess of the electronic device and configured for mounting to an internal structure of the electronic device adjacent the recess in a mounting direction generally perpendicular to a thinnest dimension of the electronic device. The elongate mass is coupled to a center area of the piezo beam and having opposing free ends that are free to vibrate in a selected frequency range. An electronic device having a piezo electric element is also described.

Abstract: Dual chips exchange a signal indicating a pressing load detected for providing the tactile sensation such that application process based on the pressing load is performed. A tactile sensation providing apparatus according to the present invention includes a touch sensor, a load detection unit configured to detect the pressing load on the touch sensor for providing the tactile sensation, a tactile sensation providing unit configured to vibrate a touch face of the touch sensor, a tactile sensation provision control unit configured to control drive of the tactile sensation providing unit, and a main control unit configured to control an application. The tactile sensation provision control unit transmits the pressing load to the main control unit. The main control unit, based on an output of the touch sensor and the pressing load received from the tactile sensation provision control unit, performs the application process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deformation and haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal indicating a contact with a device and a location of the contact on the device; determining a deformation effect based on the contact and the location of the contact, the deformation effect configured to cause a change in a shape of the device; and outputting the deformation effect to a deformation device configured to change the shape of the device.

Abstract: A displacement detection device includes a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor is provided with a piezoelectric sheet on both principal surfaces of which detection electrodes are formed. When stress is applied to the piezoelectric sensor, charge is generated, and an output voltage in accordance with this generated charge is detected in a DC voltage detector. A controller measures this output voltage at a predetermined time interval. Every time the controller measures the output voltage, the controller makes a short-circuit control of a switch, and causes the charge generated in the piezoelectric sensor to be released. The controller can thereby detect an amount of change in output voltage generated at the predetermined time interval in accordance with an amount of displacement of the piezoelectric sensor. By sequentially integrating this, the controller can accurately detect the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric sensor which changes across measurement timings.

Abstract: A low-loss current sensor for use with a circuit containing a capacitor to sense a current flowing into a node in the circuit is provided. The current sensor includes a differentiator circuit having an input connected to the circuit capacitor and adapted to generate an output which is proportional to the current flowing through the circuit capacitor. The novel use of a capacitive current divider allows the sensor to sense current with virtually no power dissipation.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element drive circuit includes a piezoelectric element that has a piezoelectric substance whose thickness is 0.05? to 20 ?m and two electrodes which interpose the piezoelectric substance therebetween, an inductor that is connected to the piezoelectric element in parallel, and a drive voltage generation circuit that applies a drive voltage including an AC component to the piezoelectric element and the inductor.

Abstract: A printed circuit board, including: a substrate on which a component is mounted by solder; and a contact plate having a soldered portion soldered on the substrate, the contact plate being configured to be brought into contact with a contact of an apparatus to which the substrate is to be attached, wherein the soldered portion is soldered on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface of the substrate on which the component is mounted, and wherein the contact plate has a suppressing portion configured to suppress an adhesion of a flux of the solder to a portion in which the contact plate is to be contacted by the contact, the suppressing portion making a flow path of the flux from the soldered portion to the portion longer than a straight-line distance from the soldered portion to the portion.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transistor includes an input terminal, a piezoresistive element, an output terminal, an insulator, a control terminal, and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoresistive element is electrically positioned between the input terminal and the output terminal. The insulator is positioned between the piezoresistive element and the piezoelectric actuator. The insulator electrically insulates the output terminal from the control terminal. The control terminal is configured to control activation of a piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A tactile sensation is provided without exchanging a signal indicating a pressing load between a dual chip. A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a touch sensor, a load detection unit for detecting a pressing load on the sensor, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating a face of the sensor, a tactile sensation provision control unit for controlling drive of the providing unit, and a main control unit for controlling an operation of the provision control unit based on an output of the sensor. The main control unit determines whether a predetermined area of the touch face is touched based on the output of the sensor and, when the area is touched, transmits a tactile sensation control instruction to the provision control unit. The provision control unit, upon receiving the instruction from the main control unit, controls drive of the providing unit based on the instruction and the pressing load.

Abstract: Wavelength sweepable laser source is disclosed, wherein the laser source is a semiconductor laser source adapted for generating laser light at a lasing wavelength. The laser source comprises a substrate, a first reflector, and a second reflector. The first and second reflector together defines an optical cavity, and are arranged to support light oscillation in the optical cavity along an optical path in a direction normal to the substrate. The optical cavity comprises a void in the optical path. The second reflector is resiliently suspended by a suspension in a distance from the first reflector and having a rest position, the second reflector and suspension together defining a microelectromechanical MEMS oscillator. The MEMS oscillator has a resonance frequency and is adapted for oscillating the second reflector on either side of the rest position. The laser source further comprises electrical connections adapted for applying an electric field to the MEMS oscillator.

Abstract: Dual chips exchange a signal indicating a pressing load detected for providing the tactile sensation such that application processing based on the load is performed. A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a touch sensor, a load detection unit for detecting the load on the sensor for providing the tactile sensation, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating a touch face of the sensor, a tactile sensation provision control unit for controlling drive of the providing unit, and a main control unit for controlling performing an operation corresponding to the load. The main control unit transmits, to the provision control unit, a load detection instruction in activation of the application and a load stop instruction in closing the application. The provision control unit starts detecting the load upon receiving the detection instruction and stops detecting the load upon receiving the stop instruction.

Abstract: By dual chips exchanging a signal indicating a pressing load detected for providing the tactile sensation, application process based thereon is performed. A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a touch sensor, a load detection unit for detecting the pressing load on the sensor for providing the sensation, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating a surface the sensor, a provision control unit for controlling drive of the providing unit, and a main control unit for controlling an application. The main control unit determines whether a predetermined area of the surface is touched based on an output of the sensor and, when touched, transmits an instruction to the provision control unit. The provision control unit, upon receiving the instruction from the main control unit, detects the pressing load and transmits the detected load to the main control unit. The main control unit, based on the load, performs the application process.

Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric device according to the present invention includes a pair of electrode layers and a piezoelectric thin film interposed between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the piezoelectric thin film contains a rare gas element and has a content gradient of the rare gas element in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric thin film.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern that are disposed on a main surface of an insulating substrate, a first electrode pattern that is electrically connected to the first conductive pattern, and a vibrator element that is disposed on the main surface, and the area of a first section in which the first conductive pattern overlaps the first electrode pattern is greater than the area in which the other conductive pattern overlaps the first electrode pattern in a plan view.

Abstract: A high voltage power source device includes piezoelectric transformers, each of the piezoelectric transformers being formed with a primary electrode and a secondary electrode on piezoelectric ceramics, receiving a primary voltage at the primary electrode, and generating a second voltage from the secondary electrode, switching elements, each of the switching elements driving a respective one of the piezoelectric transformers, and primary voltage supply devices, each of the primary voltage supply devices supplying the primary voltage to the primary electrode of the respective one of the piezoelectric transformers by driving the respective one of the switching elements when the secondary voltage is generated from the respective one of the second electrodes, wherein the respective one of the primary voltage supply devices supplies the primary voltage to the respective one of the primary electrodes by driving the respective one of the switching elements at the same frequency.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device 100 is provided with an element-mounting member 110, a piezoelectric element 120 mounted on the element-mounting member 110, a metal pattern 118 which is formed at the surface of the element-mounting member 110 and includes an element-mounting region 118a and a lead region 118b, and an integrated circuit element 130 which is electrically connected to the element-mounting region 118a of the metal pattern 118 by solder bump 132, wherein the metal pattern 118 has a projecting part 119 which is provided between the element-mounting region 118a and the lead region 118b, and at least the surface portion of the projecting part 119 is made of a metal oxide.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a first load circuit that operates by a first voltage; a second load circuit that operates by a second voltage higher than the first voltage; a boosting circuit that generates the first voltage if the power supply device is in a first driving mode, and generates the second voltage if the power supply device is in a second driving mode; a first feedback circuit that connects the first load circuit and the boosting circuit if the power supply device is in the first driving mode; and a second feedback circuit that connects the first load circuit and the boosting circuit if the power supply device is in the second driving mode. The first load circuit is operated in the first driving mode. The first load circuit and the second load circuit are operated in the second driving mode.

Abstract: A temperature control circuit of oven-controlled crystal oscillator includes a heater resistor, a first resistor, a thermistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, a differential amplifier, a PNP-type power transistor, and a PNP-type current-limiting transistor. The thermistor outputs a voltage depending on a temperature. The differential amplifier amplifies a difference between the voltage received by the one input terminal and the voltage received by the other and output as a control voltage. The PNP-type power transistor includes an emitter where the other end of the heater resistor is connected, a base that receives an output of the differential amplifier, and a grounded collector. The PNP-type current-limiting transistor has an emitter where a power voltage is supplied, a base that receives a voltage between the other end of the heater resistor and the emitter of the power transistor, and a collector connected to the base of the power transistor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrating piece is to be bonded to and sandwiched between a lid plate and a base plate with an external electrode. The piezoelectric vibrating piece has a first main surface at the lid plate side and a second main surface at the base plate side. The piezoelectric vibrating piece includes an excitation unit, a first excitation electrode, a second excitation electrode, a framing portion, one connecting portion, a first extraction electrode, and a second extraction electrode. The connecting portion includes a planar surface parallel to both the main surfaces and a side face intersecting with the planar surface. The first extraction electrode is extracted via the connecting portion. The second extraction electrode is extracted via the connecting portion. The first extraction electrode is disposed on at least a part of the side face of the connecting portion to be extracted to the framing portion.

Abstract: Piezoelectric energy can be gathered from rapid pressure changes, such as those applied to keyboards when typing. A piezoelectric array is embedded within a removable keyboard cover that slides to fit any keyboard configuration (i.e. any machine with buttons). The array is attached to a battery that can store energy for future use. The battery is attached to an outlet to distribute power gleaned from the battery and to an internal lighting mechanism within each key of the keyboard cover. A regulator for the battery in the form of a switch may be used to control energy flow.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel jackhammer that utilizes ultrasonic and/or sonic vibrations as source of power. It is easy to operate and does not require extensive training, requiring substantially less physical capabilities from the user and thereby increasing the pool of potential operators. An important safety benefit is that it does not fracture resilient or compliant materials such as cable channels and conduits, tubing, plumbing, cabling and other embedded fixtures that may be encountered along the impact path. While the ultrasonic/sonic jackhammer of the invention is able to cut concrete and asphalt, it generates little back-propagated shocks or vibrations onto the mounting fixture, and can be operated from an automatic platform or robotic system.

Abstract: In the case of a method for operating a piezoceramic sensor with an evaluation electrode, an electrical signal generated by the piezoceramic sensor at the evaluation electrode is evaluated to determine an actuating state of the piezoceramic sensor. The evaluation electrode is subjected to a predetermined reference potential during recurring time intervals, in order to reference the evaluation electrode with the reference potential during these time intervals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer that can include a driver side and a bias voltage side. A higher voltage source can be electrically connected to the bias voltage side through a first resistor. A lower voltage source can be electrically connected to the driver side of through a second resistor. A field effect transistor or other suitable switch can be included, having a source, a gate and a drain. The source can be electrically connected to ground and the gate can be electrically connected to a control signal source. The drain can be electrically connected to the lower voltage source through a second resistor and be electrically connected to the driver side of the ultrasonic transducer. The gate can be electrically connected to a signal source through a third resistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy harvester device comprising an elongate resonator beam extending between first and second ends. A base connected to the resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass is attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The elongate resonator beam comprises either: (1) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a cantilever layer on a second oxide layer over a second piezoelectric stack layer on a third oxide layer or (2) a first oxide layer on a first piezoelectric stack layer over a second oxide layer on a cantilever layer over a third oxide layer on a second piezoelectric stack over a fourth oxide layer. Also disclosed is a system comprising an electrically powered apparatus and the energy harvester device, as well as methods of making and using the energy harvester.

Abstract: A balanced multi-phase energy conversion apparatus configured to convert energy from a mechanical energy source into electrical energy is disclosed. The energy conversion apparatus may comprise a plurality of transducers. Each of the plurality of transducers comprises a dielectric elastomer module comprising at least one dielectric elastomer film layer disposed between at least first and second electrodes. A transmission coupling mechanism is coupled to the mechanical energy source and operatively attached to the plurality of transducers. The transmission coupling cyclically strains and relaxes the plurality of transducers in response to the mechanical energy acting on the transmission coupling mechanism. The transmission coupling mechanism comprises a work cycle. The plurality of transducers are at evenly distributed points in the work cycle such that a total passive strain energy is constant.

Abstract: Provided herein are a display apparatus with a touch panel to which a piezoelectric actuator may readily be mounted, and a piezoelectric actuator used in such a display apparatus with a touch panel. A support structure for supporting a piezoelectric actuator 3 on a front surface of a circuit substrate 5 is constituted from a pair of electrically conductive support members 13A, 13B which are each formed of an electrically conductive foam. The piezoelectric actuator 3 may be mounted by locating the piezoelectric actuator 3 with the pair of electrically conductive support members 13A, 13B attached thereto in a predetermined position on the circuit substrate 5, and connecting the pair of electrically conductive support members 13A, 13B to the pair of output electrodes 5A, 5B of the circuit substrate 5.

Abstract: In a discharge process of the solid body actuator (2), a current that discharges the solid body actuator (2) loaded with electrical energy is detected. A switching element (6) is switched from an open position to a closed position to short circuit the solid body actuator (2) for removal of electrical energy from the solid body actuator (2) through the switching element (6) depending on the current falling below a threshold of the current, wherein the magnitude of the threshold is specified.

Abstract: An orthotic device comprises a flexible support structure comprising at least one surface for contacting a body part of a user, a plurality of pressure sensors configured for coupling to a microcontroller, and a plurality of displacement regions. Each region defines a portion of said flexible support structure, wherein each portion includes at least one sensor disposed on or below the at least one surface and at least one electrically deformable unit. Each unit comprises at least one electroactive material and is configured for coupling to the microcontroller and to a power source. The device is dynamically adjustable to change its shape and support properties, when an electrical voltage is applied to the electroactive material under the control of a microcontroller.